Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEXAPRO versus PROZAC WEEKLY.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEXAPRO versus PROZAC WEEKLY.
LEXAPRO vs PROZAC WEEKLY
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); inhibits serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron, potentiating serotonergic activity.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity by blocking reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane.
10 mg orally once daily; may increase to 20 mg once daily after at least 1 week.
90 mg orally once weekly
None Documented
None Documented
27-32 hours (mean ~30 h); steady state reached in ~1 week; linear kinetics at therapeutic doses.
Fluoxetine: 4-6 days after single dose, 4-6 days (extended to 7-9 days with chronic dosing due to autoinhibition of CYP2D6); norfluoxetine: 9-31 days. Steady state achieved after 2-4 weeks.
Primarily renal (approx. 80% as metabolites, 8% as unchanged drug); biliary/fecal elimination accounts for ~15%.
Renal excretion of metabolites (primarily fluoxetine glucuronide and norfluoxetine glucuronide) accounts for approximately 80% of elimination; fecal excretion accounts for approximately 15%.
Category C
Category C
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant